Verkade’s Timeless Cookie Tin "Horn Player on Horseback": A Masterpiece by Cees Dekker

Verkade’s Timeless Cookie Tin "Horn Player on Horseback": A Masterpiece by Cees Dekker

• Manufacturer: Nederlands Vereenigde Blikfabrieken
• Manufacturing Date: 1930 - 1950
• Design: Cornelis (Cees) Dekker

Product Description:
This oval tin cookie box from Verkade, based in Zaandam, is a fine example of vintage packaging art, designed by the Dutch artist Cornelis (Cees) Dekker. Produced by the Nederlandsche Vereenigde Blikfabrieken between 1930 and 1950, the tin features Dekker’s distinctive style, known for its detailed and elegant designs for the Zaan-based biscuit company Verkade.

The cookie tin is equipped with a slightly domed, removable lid adorned with a detailed illustration of a rider accompanied by a hunting dog and hunting horn, set against a backdrop of a castle and two pine trees. This scene, along with the garland of acorns and oak leaves that decorate the sides of the tin, gives it a classic look, enhanced by the green background and warm yellow and brown tones.

Dimensions:
With dimensions of 8 cm in height, 17.5 cm in length, and 12.5 cm in width, the tin is compact yet spacious enough to serve as a cookie box. The rolled edges and the crimped side seam at the back highlight the craftsmanship and durability of the tin.

Condition:
Although the tin shows signs of age, it remains in good vintage condition, making it a sought-after collectable for lovers of retro design and industrial history.

Cees Dekker, who was the first designer to be employed by Verkade, played a crucial role in shaping the brand's visual identity. His work ranged from biscuit tins and toast containers to advertising posters and packaging, laying the foundation for the success of Verkade’s brand image. Dekker's artistic talent, nurtured by his studies at institutions such as the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, came to full fruition in his designs, which are still appreciated today.

This Verkade cookie tin is not just a functional object but also a piece of history that reflects Cees Dekker's craftsmanship and artistic vision. It combines practical utility with aesthetic value, making it a unique keepsake from the heyday of Dutch industrial design.

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